High school art exhibit

The Freeport Community Library is exhibiting the artwork of Freeport High School students from Durham, Freeport and Pownal during April. The large, mixed-media exhibit, which showcases the artistic talent of some 70 area young people under the guidance of art teachers Kim Medsker-Mehalic and Charles Andreson, is sponsored and juried by the Freeport Woman’s Club. Judging is Wednesday, April 13, at 2 p.m., in the library. Awards for seniors will be presented to the students at the candlelight and scholarship awards night on June 10. Awards for other classes will be given out on June 2 by the art teachers at the awards night.

The exhibit will run through the end of April and can be viewed during normal library business hours.

High school poets

to be honored at fest

Merriconeag Poetry Festival judge Rachel Contreni Flynn has selected 20 high school poets to be honored on May 1, at 3 p.m., at Maine Coast Waldorf School in Freeport. Five regional high schools placed multiple winners among the finalists: Falmouth High School led the way with five, followed by Cape Elizabeth and Deering high schools with three each. Catherine McAuley and Maine Coast Waldorf Schools each contributed two finalists. Other schools represented among the finalists include North Yarmouth Academy, as well as Gorham, Greely, Yarmouth and Edward Little high schools.

Contreni Flynn, the author of two award-winning, full-length poetry collections, “Ice, Mouth, Song” (Tupelo Press 2005) and “Tongue” (Red Hen Press 2010), and a recipient of a Maine Literary Award in 2015, read every poem submitted – more than 100 entries from students attending 20 area high schools. She praised the high quality of the writing, lauding “so many gorgeous, genuine poems.” She is the co-editor of Beloit Poetry Journal, one of the country’s oldest and most esteemed literary magazines. She also teaches poetry at Colby College in Waterville.

This year’s finalists, in no particular order are: from Deering High School, sophomores Fadumo Adan, Arlo Farr-Weinfeld and Alexander Fitzgerald; from Edward Little High School, sophomore Najmo Ali; from Falmouth High School, ninth-graders Emma Auer and Caitlyn Bull, tenth-graders Ella Boyd, and seniors Zachary Bull and Ellie Sapat; from Greely High School, sophomore Ethan Brouder; from Gorham High School, senior Mallory Campbell; from North Yarmouth Academy, 10th-grader Charlotte Collins; from Cape Elizabeth High School, juniors Anna Friberg and Natalie Gale, and senior Katherine Hansen; from Catherine McAuley High School, freshman Kelly Gilbert and junior Gabe Robbins; from Yarmouth High School, sophomore Salomé Skinner; and from Maine Coast Waldorf School, 11th-graders Cassandra Albano and Riley Smith. This is the second year in a row that Sapat, Friberg and Campbell have earned finalist honors.

During the festival, winning poets will meet Flynn, hear her speak about the importance of poetry and read some of her own work. They will read their winning poems, receive a booklet comprising all the finalists’ pieces, and receive a gift certificate from Longfellow Books in Portland, Gulf of Maine Books in Brunswick, and Sherman’s Books and Stationery in Freeport. The top three prize-winners will also be announced. They will have their poems displayed on a large poster that will be distributed to the nearly 50 public and private high schools whose students were invited to submit work.

Free Cone Day

Ben & Jerry’s in Freeport, near the L.L. Bean Discovery Park, will participate in the company’s Free Cone Day, which has occurred yearly since 1979. and also provides the opportunity for local organizations to collect donations. This year, Maine Boys to Men will be asking customers for contributions. Maine Boys to Men helps boys reach their potential to become emotionally healthy, respectful, non-violent men.

April Vacation Camp

Wolfe’s Neck Farm will host a vacation camp for children in grades 3-5, April 18-22, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Parents can choose one to five days. The theme of April camp is “Wake up Wolfe’s Neck Farm” after the long winter. Depending on the weather, activities will include preparing the barn for newborn lambs and calves, preparing the gardens for spring planting, learning about beekeeping and exploring the forest and pastures.

For more information, see www.wolfesneckfarm.org, call 865-4469, ext. 106 or email [email protected].

Local jewelers celebrate 10 years

R.D. Allen Freeport Jewelers, 13 Middle St., is celebrating its 10-year anniversary and is planning sales and special events in the months ahead to help mark this milestone, including the American Bead Collection Trunk Show on Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information, visit www.rdallen.com.

Auditions for ‘The Odd Couple’

Freeport Players announces open auditions for its summer production, a female version of Neil Simon’s classic comedy, “The Odd Couple.” The auditions will take place Tuesday, April 26, and Wednesday, April 27, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Freeport Performing Arts Center, 30 Holbrook St. There are roles for six women and two men, ages approximately 35-65. Actors should attend either of the two audition sessions and be prepared to cold-read excerpts from the play.

In Neil Simon’s re-imagining of his original play, neurotic neat freak Florence Ungar moves in with slovenly Olive Madison. Poker night is replaced by Trivial Pursuit with the girls, and neighbors Manolo and Jesus Costazuela distract the women with their romantic overtures.

Rehearsals begin in early May. Performances are Fridays-Sundays, July 15-31, at Freeport Performing Arts Center. There will be a special pay-what-you-want preview on Thursday, July 14. For complete audition details, visit www.fcponline.org/auditions/.

Freeport Players was founded in 1989 to provide opportunities for members of the community to be involved in all aspects of theater. Freeport Players produces a wide range of theater experiences – classical and contemporary, comedies and dramas, plays and musicals.

‘Freeport’s Got Talent’

coming up April 29

Freeport High School’s Interact Club will be hosting a talent competition, “Freeport’s Got Talent,” on Friday, April 29, from 6-8 p.m., at the Freeport Community Center. A lasagna dinner will be served as the audience views the performances by students and community members.

All proceeds go to the Uganda Project, a charity that raises money to send Ugandan youths to trade school or college. Those interested in participating in the competition should contact club president Ethan Pierce, [email protected]. Prizes will be awarded for winning performances.

Tickets are $10 per person, $35 for a family of four.

Learn about

organic gardening

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Grow Your Own Organic Garden workshop will be held at Freeport Community Library, on Wednesday, April 20, from 6-9 p.m., in the Community Meeting Room. Open to the public and to folks of all gardening skill and experience levels, the workshop is designed to provide the essential skills and knowledge needed to make the transition from conventional to organic gardening.

Pre-registration required and $5 fee will be collected at class.

Dave Colson, who leads MOFGA’s Agricultural Services Program, is the instructor. He has worked with MOFGA since 1985, when his family’s New Leaf Farm in Durham first earned its organic certification. New Leaf Farm is a celebrated source of organic vegetables, fruits and herbs for markets and restaurants in the Greater Portland area. The Colson family has hosted dozens of farm apprentices, many of whom have gone on to start their own organic farm operations in Maine. For more information, see www.mofga.org.

FHS artist wins

first in statewide show

Juliette Sylvester, a senior at Freeport High School, was awarded first prize in the sculpture category of the Maine Statewide High School Ceramic Art Show, which runs through April 15 at Maine College of Art, 522 Congress St, Portland. The judges were faculty members in the school’s Ceramics Department. They had high praise for her concept and craftsmanship and were impressed with her “sophisticated technical skill in constructing such a complex form.”

‘Run of the Royal’

canoe race planned

The Royal River Conservation Trust is sponsoring its first “Run of the Royal” canoe race on Saturday, May 14. Patterned after Boston’s Run of the Charles, this corporate-sponsored, four-leg canoe relay race will raise money for the Royal River Conservation Trust and its plans to acquire and improve paddling access points and shoreline habitat up and down the river.

The relay race course will begin and end at Yarmouth History Center on East Elm Street in Yarmouth. Canoes and paddles will be provided, and there will be local cuisine, live music, an art show and raffle. There is an early discounted registration fee through April 22. For more information and to register go to www.rrct.org. For questions, contact race director David Truesdell at [email protected].

Free Thursday films

The Freeport Community Library invites the public to enjoy a free film once a month on Thursdays. Films scheduled, both starting at 1 p.m., include the comedy, “The Intern,” starring Robert DeNiro and Anne Hathaway, PG-13, on April 21; and the documentary, “He Named Me Malala,” also rated PG-13, on May 19.

Farmer for the morning

Parents and their toddlers or pre-schoolers are invited to Wolfe’s Neck Farm’s “Farmer for the Morning” program each Thursday from 8:30-9:30 a.m. until May 19. The fee is $5 per person. Participants should show up at the barn and meet the farmer. Children can help feed and give water to the animals, put out hay, collect eggs, sweep the barn and make sure that the animals are happy and healthy for the the day. This is a drop-in program.

Author Deborah Gould

to talk at library

Deborah Gould, author of historical novel, “The Eastern: The Early Years,” will speak at the Freeport Community Library on Wednesday, April 27, at 6:30 p.m. Released by Maine Authors Publishing in 2015, the book is a fictional account of five families who lived along the Eastern River in the town of East Pittston. The novel spans 45 years of social change from 1820 to the end of the Civil War in 1865.

In it, Gould, a Brunswick resident, explores themes of community, reciprocity, and the idea of working for the common good; the rise of Maine’s agricultural society, and its eventual replacement by an economy built upon industry and manufacture.

Masons cooking

ham supper

The Freeport Masons will host a ham supper on Saturday, April 16, at the Masonic Lodge on Mallett Drive in Freeport, from 5-6:30 p.m. The menu will feature ham, mashed potatoes, assorted vegetables, home-made biscuits, a special dessert and beverage, for $9. Children under 12 are half-price.

Winslow Park reservations by mail

In an effort to simplify the early reservation process for Winslow Park staff and guests, park staff will be taking early season reservations by mail this year. The staff will start processing mailed reservations on April 18, and start accepting phone reservations and walk-ins on May 9, when the gatehouse opens. The easiest and best way to get an early reservation this year will be by mail, before May 9. The mail-in reservation form is available at www.freeportmaine.com, under the Winslow Park tab.

Freeport GOP to meet

The Freeport Republicans will meet Wednesday, April 20, at 6:45 p.m., at the Masonic Lodge, 33 Mallett Drive, lower level. Meet-and-greet guest speaker is Ande Smith, candidate for the 1st Congressional District seat in November. Smith, a Maine native small-business owner and attorney, lives in North Yarmouth with his wife and children. Those attending are asked to bring non-perishable items to donate to Freeport Community Services. Needed are men’s, women’s and children’s personal items.

For more information or to be added to the email list, contact Jason Thyen, chairman, [email protected].

Drug safety talk for seniors

Casco Bay CAN (Create Awareness Now) will host local law enforcement representatives to present information to senior citizens on how to keep drugs safe, dispose of them properly and local drug trends. A time for questions and answers will follow. The session in Freeport is Thursday, April 14, at 11 a.m., at the Freeport Community Center, 53 Depot St. Seniors who attend can bring expired or unwanted medications for law enforcement to dispose of properly. For more information contact Kaleigh at 688-8816.

Crafters sought

for blueberry fest

The South Freeport Congregational Church Events Team is looking for crafters who would like to sell their wares at the summer Blueberry Festival on Aug. 6, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the church, 98 South Freeport Road. The fee for the day is $25. Vendors must bring their own equipment such as tables and chairs. Those interested should call SueAnn Randall at 865-1670.

Shellfish license

renewal time

The 2016 renewal commercial shellfish license applications must be submitted to the Freeport town clerk during April. The fees are: resident commercial, $230; non-resident commercial, $430; resident student commercial, $55; non-resident student commercial, $80.

For more information, contact the Town Clerk at 865-4743, ext. 123, or email [email protected].

Bow maker-musician

to speak at club

Lynn Hannings, a musician and bow maker, will be the guest speaker at the monthly meeting of the Freeport Woman’s Club, on Friday, April 15, at 1:45 p.m., following a 1 p.m. club business meeting. The club meets at Freeport Community Library. Hannings plays the double bass, and has performed with the Portland Symphony Orchestra since 1969. She is a member of the American Federation of Violin and Bow Makers. She teaches bow restoration and is celebrating her 29th year of teaching at the University of New Hampshire. She also is a bass teacher at Bowdoin College.

The Freeport Woman’s Club is a service organization that has been in existence for 90 years. It meets once a month at the Freeport Community Library for a business meeting and program. The club’s fundraising projects include a spring bazaar and a bake sale on Election Day. Funds raised provide local scholarships, community improvements, donations to Freeport Community Services and support for women seeking career education. New members are welcome. Contact Betty Duckworth, 847-0240, or [email protected].

First Parish Market

calling for vendors

Vendors are now being sought for First Parish Market, where artists, crafters and other vendors can sell their wares in front of First Parish Church Congregational, 40 Main St. in Freeport. The sale dates are July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10 and Oct. 8, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, email Patty at [email protected] or call the church 865-6022 and leave a message.

Upcoming meetings

Project Review Board, Wednesday, April 13, 6 p.m., Town Council Chambers.

Coastal Waters Commission, Wednesday, April 13, 6 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Shellfish Conservation Commission, Thursday, April 14, 6:30 p.m., Freeport Community Center.

Traffic and Parking Commission, Tuesday, April 19, 7:30 a.m., Town Council Chambers.

A full listing of upcoming town meetings and agendas is available at www.freeportmaine.com.

Thei sculpture by Juliette Sylvester, a senior at Freeport High School, was awarded first prize in the sculpture category of the Maine Statewide High School Ceramic Art Show, which runs through April 15 at Maine College of Art, Portland.